25 Trader Joe's Favorites For An Exciting Pantry

While we all love Trader Joe’s seasonal items, we don’t love how quickly they sell out. Pepper jelly, Christmas candles, pumpkin butter, and peppermint Jo-Jo’s are no longer on the shelves, but there are so many other year-round favorites to stock your pantry with in the new year. Additions to your spice rack, freezer, pantry, and fridge will keep you well-fed and happy after your next grocery shop. 

To fight those post-holiday winter blues, here are some of our year-round favorites from Trader Joe’s. 

1. Lemon and Arugula Salad Mix

Ladies, if eating healthy is on your 2023 vision board, start with this salad! Eating baby romaine for every salad can get boring and routine, so spice it up with a Lemon and Arugula Salad mix. It has crunchy almond pieces, thinly sliced parmesan cheese, and the most delicious lemon olive oil dressing.  You can easily split this salad into two separate lunches to pack for work, or throw together the kit as an easy side for a family dinner. 

2. Hot Honey

If you’re looking for a way to make food more fun this year, then you need this spicy honey in your pantry! Drizzle over pizza, chicken, or even avocado toast for a delicious kick of flavor. Sweet and spicy honey on everything!

3. Bagel Seasoning

Listen, I know the Everything But The Bagel seasoning is popular, but there's a reason for that. It’s the perfect topping for avocado toast, fries, omelets, stir fry, and potatoes. It also works as a crust for chicken or salmon. If that adorable glass jar is not already in your spice rack, today is the day to right that wrong! 

4. Marinated Mozzarella Log

Need a quick and easy appetizer? Place cubes of this marinated mozzarella on a stick with basil leaves and cherry tomatoes. Or make a Caprese salad with the same ingredients! This cheese is also great on pizza, cut into pieces in a salad, or even on baked pasta. 

5. Nut Mixes

Feeling like something is missing from your charcuterie boards? Need something fun to spice up your lunches without adding sweets to your bag? Allow me to introduce you to Trader Joe’s nut mixes. Perfectly seasoned almonds, cashews, pecans, and more in a resealable bag for easy snacking. Everything bagel fanatics, there’s a nut duo for you too! 

6. Acai Bowls

Don’t sleep on the Trader Joe's freezer section! A delicious breakfast that requires little to no thought, these acai bowls are only $3.99 a piece and taste great every morning. It comes with the right amount of berries and acai base, with delicious coconut shavings and crunchy granola. 

7. Cheddar Cheese with Scotch Bonnet Chilis and Red Peppers

If you love pepper jack cheese, add this block of flavorful cheddar to your grocery list! This sweet and spicy cheese will be the perfect addition to a charcuterie board, snack break, or sliced for your lunch. It’s also delicious over eggs, with chicken, or in a quesadilla!

8. Chai Concentrate 

As a woman obsessed with chai lattes, I have tried my share of chai tea, concentrate, and I’ve even tried to make my own (unsuccessfully). The Trader Joe’s Spiced Chai is simply delicious. You can pour it over ice with the milk of your choice for a perfect iced chai latte, or heat it on the stove for a hot chai latte. Either way, this is a year-round favorite for me! 

9. Marinated Artichokes 

Another delicious item worthy of shelf space in your pantry is the bags (or jars) of marinated artichokes! They have such a bright flavor in a tender artichoke texture. Chop them up and throw them in a salad, cook with chicken for a delightful dinner, or add them in a small bowl for a charcuterie board. Yum! 

10. Cheese Bites

Trader Joe’s is also known for their expansive snack selection, and you should definitely pick up a bag of these baked cheese bites next time you’re at the store. Crunchy bites of cheesy truffle goodness, they also come in a few other flavors (look for different colored bags). An easy to pack snack with lots of flavor, cheese lovers everywhere will love this pantry item. 

11. Greek Chickpeas

These are an easy topper for any Greek salad or as a side dish to your favorite Mediterranean meal. You can also throw them into a pasta salad, over toast, or eat them straight out of the tin. Chickpeas are a great source of protein and fiber! 

12. Teriyaki Skirt Steak 

Need a quick and easy dinner for the whole family? Try this teriyaki marinated skirt steak over rice and cooked vegetables. A delicious and minimal effort dinner is a win-win! 

13. Salsa Verde

Pair this delicious green salsa with tortilla chips, or use it to marinate chicken in a crock pot for delicious tacos! A party pleaser and definitely a must-have for your Super Bowl gathering, this salsa belongs in your pantry. 

14. Ravioli Packs

Trader Joe’s packaged ravioli is one of the best pastas you can buy! These come in a variety of everyday and seasonal flavors, such as cheese, spinach, squash, and even Brussels sprouts. This makes a great meal if you live alone, but you can also stretch it for the whole family. 

15. Dried Mango Slices

Trader Joe’s selection of dried fruit is unmatched. But a favorite among many is the dried mango slices, which come in sugared and natural varieties. Add these to a charcuterie board or simply eat them for a snack. 

16. Blood Orange Tea

Ditch the coffee and opt for a delicious, aromatic cup of blood orange tea! This blend of hibiscus and orange is perfect any time of the year. 

17. Gnocchi al Gorgonzola

Gnocchi is a great change in your normal dinner rotation, and this freezer section must-have is delicious! Add grated cheese or even pasta sauce for a complete meal. Trader Joe’s also has a variety of other gnocchi options, like cauliflower or kale gnocchi. 

18. Truffle Burrata 

TikTok is obsessed with burrata right now, and if you’ve been looking for a reason to participate in the delicious trend, this is your reason! Trader Joe’s Truffle Burrata is flavorful and creamy, a perfect addition to pasta, pizza, and salad. 

19. Red Chili Scalloped Crackers

These crackers are the perfect addition to your charcuterie board – but you’ll probably eat them straight out of the box instead! These crunchy crackers, with a fun scalloped edge, have the right amount of heat. 

20. Pesto

Pesto is one of those items that are more expensive to make yourself than to buy at the store. If you need a quick and easy dinner idea, pesto pasta takes three ingredients (pasta of your choice, Trader Joe’s pesto, and parmesan cheese) and is packed with flavor! 

21. Olive Oil

If bougie olive oil is not in the budget, try the Trader Joe’s Extra Virgin Olive Oil for that high-end taste on a low-end budget. You can cook with this oil or even make a dipping oil for bread before dinner. 

22. Cereal Bars

Is remembering to eat breakfast a constant struggle? Because, same. These fruit cereal bars are easy to grab on the way out the door, and they have a delicious fruity flavor in the softest bar. Yum!

23. Scandinavian Swimmers

If the gummy tummies are still out of stock in your store, try these delicious ocean creature shapes instead! The better version of any other gummy candy, you’ll have difficulty closing the bag after just a few pieces. 

24. Cold Pressed Juice Shots

We all either have that friend who's obsessed with cold-pressed juice, or you are that friend! These ginger and turmeric shots are great immunity boosters, and have a cult following on social media. Pick one up during your next Trader Joe’s shop!

25. Everything But The Bagel Seasoned Potato Chips

These are unlike any potato chips you’ve ever had before. Salty, with that signature bagel seasoning flavor – you can eat them on their own or with one of their amazing dip options. Either way, a great alternative to spice up your typical potato chip bag!

Closing Thoughts

And, of course, grab a bouquet of flowers for yourself on the way to the register! Cheers to happy and healthy eating in 2023! 

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